Smith,  G.  Mellville 

The  Union  Spy;  or  Battle  of  Malvern  Hill* 


813.41 

S^48  U 


UNION  SPY; 

OR. 


IN  FIVE  ACTS. 

- BY - 

O.  MELLV1LLE  SMITH. 


[Entered  according  to  an  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  Librarian’s  Offic 
at  Washington,  1871.] 


REPUBLICAN  STEAM  PRINT 
TA.TT3SrT03NT. 


4 


THE 


UNION  SPY  ; 


OR, 


BATTLE  OF  JULVHRN  HILL. 


^farna, 


IN  FIVE  ACTS, 


■BY 


3r.  MELLY1LLE  SMITH. 


inteied  according  to  an  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  Librarian’s  Office 
at  Washington,  1871.] 


REPUBLICAN  STEAM  IPDR-HSIT 
TAUNTON. 


CAST  OF  CHARACTERS, 


As  played  in  Boston  fifteen  nights  for  the  benefit  of  Post  26, 
G.  A.  R.,  where  it  was  greeted  with  overflowing  houses. 


o 


XJKriOKT- 

HENRY  WALDRON,  -The  Spy,  -  G.  MELLVILLE  SMITH 
JOE,  ....  ...  CHARLIE  CHRISTIE 

Tim  O’Connor,  ........  Peter  McCann 

William  Warren,  -  -  H.  A.  Wrightington 

Major  Anderson,  -  . Wm.  O.  Knight 

Major  General  Meade,  - . W.  H.  Jones 

Brigadier  General,  J . -  C.  G.  Davis 

Colonel,  Staff, . -  George  Sherlre 

Major,  ) . W.  0.  Anderson 

Captain  Hall,  . . S.  N.  Richards 

Colonel  Ellsworth, . -  D.  L.  Jones 

Corporal  Brownell,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  J.  F.  Llynn 

Judge  Waldron, . C.  C.  Emery 

Freddie  Waldron, . -  Master  Leonard 

Sergeant  Moore,  -  - . T.  H.  Holmes 

William  Tucker,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  D.  H.  Gill 

Belle  Waldron, . -  Miss  Lottie  Myers 

Mrs.  John  Waldron, . Mrs.  Brownell 

Sallie  Green,  .......  Miss  M.  A.  Randall 

Union  Soldiers,  -  -  -  Roxbvky  City  Guard. 

C  Florence  Nightingale 

Ladies  of  the  Sanitary  Commission,  -  -  <  Mabel  Thornton. 

C  Edith  Lawrence. 

Goddess  of  War, . Virginia  Stickney 

Goddess  of  Liberty,  ------  Georgie  Stickney 

Tableaux — Angels,  Alice  L.  Chadbovrn,  Emma  Frye. 

CONFEDERATES! 


CAPTAIN  ARMSTRONG— Afterward  Colonel,  J.  E.  KILLIAN 

General  Longstreet,  - . -  W.  L.  Hicks 

General  Garnet,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  H.A.  Thomas 

Sergeant  Fairfax, . M.F.  Shay 

Corporal  Jackson, . -  J.  K  Emmet 

A.  H.  Stevens,  . C.  L.  Buxton 

J.  C.  Breckenridge, . F.  B.  Perkins 

General  Hunter, .  W.  M.  Roberts 

Rebel  Sentinel,  .  . . Fred  Bisch 

Rebel  Soldiers,  -  Sheridan  Rifles. 


SINGING  FURNISHED  BY  .MR.  J.  B.  HOWARD. 


wn  v 5* 


9  1  ^-'4i 

S  (o  ^ 

THE  TJISJTON  SPY  : 

Or,  Battle  of  JSfalvern  Hill. 

ACT  I. 

Scene  1. — [Breckenridge,  Hunter  and  Stevens  discover¬ 
ed. — Street  Scene.] 

Stevens.  But,  sir,  the  steps  we  are  taking  are  fraught 
with  danger  to  the  country.  Mark  my  words,  a  long  and 
bloody  war  may  be  the.  consequence. 

Hunter.  There  is,  gentlemen,  no  alternative  :  it  is 
the  unanimous  vote  of  the  Convention  ;  unless  we  proceed 
accordingly  it  will  be  a  lasting  dishonor  on  the  South,  and 
we  shall  be  bullied  by  these  Northern  menials  more  than 
ever. 

Stevens.  If,  through  the  seceding  of  the  Southern 
States  a  war  is  brought  on,  who,  I  ask,  is  to  answer  for 
the  lives  that  must  be  sacrificed.  I  have  never  believed  in 
resorting  to  such  extreme  measures  for  party  aggrandize¬ 
ment  ;  it  is  detestable  in  the  sight  of  heaven. 

Breckenridge.  I  do  not  apprehend  anything  of  the 
kind.  What  can  the  North  do?  They  have  no  munitions 
of  war  ;  their  arsenals  are  all  empty  ;  they  cannot  fight  if 
they  are  so  disposed. 

Stevens.  Believe  me,  gentlemen,  there  are  men  in  the 
North  who  will  not  submit  to  the  loss  of  one  single  State 
trom  the  Union.  Mark  me,  my  words  are  prophetic — the 
proceedings  of  that  Convention  have  lit  a  battle  flame  that 
will  enshroud  our  land  in  a  terrible  war,  and  heaven  only 
knows  where  it  may  end. 

Hunter.  Then  there  is  only  one  alternative — To  meet 


■v 


4 


our  foes  on  the  line  drawn  by  the  Charleston  Convention, 
and  declare  our  rights  by  the  bayonet.  We  have  gone  too 
far  to  retrace  a  single  step  without  dishonor. 

Breck.  You  are  right,  sir.  It  is  too  late  ;  we  have 
embarked  in  this  scheme,  and  must  follow  it  to  the  end. 

Hunter.  Beauregard  has  already  received  orders  to 
have  the  forts  to  the  entrance  of  the  harbor  evacuated  un¬ 
less  the  officers  and  men  see  fit  to  act  in  behalf  of  the  Con¬ 
federacy.  (takes  out  watch)  But  come  ;  the  hour  ap¬ 
pointed  for  the  meeting  of  the  Governor  at  the  State  House 
has  arrived. 

[All  exit,  L.  1.  E. 

Scene  II. — [Discovered.  Waldron  family  and  Colonel 
Armstrong,  sitting — Parlor  scene.] 

Judge.  I  hope  what'  you  say,  sir,  may  never  come  to 
pass  ;  to  bring  war  upon  our  peaceful  and  prosperous  coun¬ 
try  would  be  a  sad  calamity.  I  tbink  the  South  too  wise  to 
be  led  into  such  an  error  by  scheming  politicians. 

Col.  Armstrong.  It  would,  as  you  say,  sir,  be  terrible  ; 
but  the  election  of  Mr.  Lincoln  has  so  exasperated  the 
South  that  they  will  not  hesitate  to  do  anything  to  secure 
their  honor. 

Judge.  Why  should  they  dislike  Mr.  Lincoln?  He 
has  the  reputation  of  being  a  good  and  honest  man. 

Col.  Armstrong.  He  may  be  good  and  honest,  but  for 
all  that  his  political  ideas  are  in  direct  antagonism  to  the 
institutions  of  the  South,  and  he  will  meet  with  none  but 
enemies  there. 

Judge.  I  have  every  reason  to  believe  that  he  will 
govern  our'eountry  for  its  welfare,  asking  the  assistance  of 
all  loyal  men,  and  demanding  obedience  to  would-be  trai¬ 
tors.  (Enter  Joe  with  mail,  2d  L.  E.) 


5 


Joe.  ■  Here  is  de  mail,  massa. 

Judge.  Have  my  carriage  ready  at  once. 

Joe.  Yes,  massa. 

[Exit  L.  2d  E. 

Judge.  Now  let  us  see  what  the  news  is  to-day.  Ah  ! 
what  is  this  !  The  Convention  held  at  Charleston,  Thurs¬ 
day,  has  declared  the  Southern  States  withdrawn  from  the 
Union,  choosing  for  their  President  Jefferson  Davis,  of 
Mississippi.  Great  excitement  in  Washington  and  Balti¬ 
more.  The  city  of  Charleston  full  of  troops.  Fort  Sumter 
fired  upon.  The  whole  South  in  arms.  Oh,  this  is  terri¬ 
ble,  terrible ! 

Henry  Waldron.  Captain,  if  these  reports  prove  true 
there  will  be  warm  work  for  you  gentlemen  that  wear  the 
uniform.  Perhaps  I  can  be  of  some  service  to  my  country 
in  this,  her  struggle  for  freedom.  Can  you  get  me  a 
chance  in  your  regiment,  captain? 

Col.  Armstrong.  When  that  hour  shall  arrive,  Henry, 
it  will  find  me  in  the  Southern  army.  If  you  wish  to  ac¬ 
company  me  there,  I  will  do  all  in  my  power  to  get  you  a 
commission. 

Henry ,  What !  You  would  not  shrink  from  duty  in  this 
our  country’s  need.  You  would  not  raise  your  arm  against 
the  government  you  have  sworn  to  protect ! 

Col.  Armstrong.  The  South  is  my  home.  I  was  born 
there  ;  I  was  taught  to  love  and  respect  all  her  institutions  ; 
her  principles  are  mine,  and  I  shall  fight  for  her  cause. 

Henry.  I  am  surprised  to  hear  you  speak  thus,  for 
during  the  many  years  of  our  acquaintance  I  have  ever,  un¬ 
til  now,  found  you  true  and  steadfast  for  the  right.  I  am 
indeed  truly  pained  to  hear  you,  while  wearing  the  uniform 
of  an  American  officer,  speak  treason. 


6 


Col.  Armstrong.  They  are  my  sentiments.  I  shall 
■art  upon  them. 

Henry.  Then,  sir,  you  are  no  longer  a  friend  of  mine, 
for  had  my  own  brother  done  as  you  have  sworn  to  do,  I 
would  cast  him  from  my  love  and  esteem,  though  it  broke 
my  heart  in  so  doing.  Henceforth,  Sir,  we  are  strangers  ; 
for  I  will  call  no  man  a  friend  who  could  so  basely  betray 
his  country,  and  his  own  honor. 

Col.  Armstrong .  And  this,  then,  is  your  Northern 
hospitality ! 

Judge.  I  pray  thee,  let  this  subject  pass.  Old  friends 
should  not  fall  out  at  parting. 

Col.  Armstrong .  This  is  your  pretended  friendship  for 
me  ;  because  my  sympathies,  like  your  own,  cling  to  my  na¬ 
tive  home,  you  denounce  me  as  a  traitor.  So  be  it.  You 
fight  for  your  flag,  and  I’ll  fight  '  for  mine.  But  we  shall 
meet  again. 

[Enter  Belle,  R.  2d  E. 

Belle.  Why,  Henry,  what  has  happened?  What  is 
the  meaning  of  all  this  loud  talk  ? 

Henry.  It  means,  my  dear  wife,  that  that  man  whom 
we  have  ever  welcomed  to  this,  our  home,  who  has  shared 
our  joys  and  sorrows,  is  a  traitor  to  his  country,  and  now, 
while  our  land  is  under  a  cloud,  he  has  declared  his  inten¬ 
tion  of  joining  the  Southern  cause,  and  I  have  therefore 
told  him  we  can  no  longer  be  friends. 

Belle.  Henry,  you  have  done  right.  I  am  proud  to 
find  that  you  let  not  friendship  stand  between  you  and  duty. 
Mr.  Armstrong,  painful  as  it  is  to  sever  the  ties  which 
have  existed  between  us  for  so  long,  yet  I  must  join  with 
my  husband  in  denouncing  your  course,  for  we  love  our 
country  too  well  .to  have  any  friendship  for  traitors. 


Col.  Armstrong.  Mr.  Waldron,  you  have  basely  in¬ 
sulted  me  sir,  but  my  time  will  come  ;  I  will  yet  be  reveng¬ 
ed.  Good  day,  my  friends. 

[Exit  L.  2d  E. 

Belle.  I  need  not  ask  what  you  will  do,  for  I  know 
you  will  go  and  fight  in  defence  of  your  country  ;  but  I  fear 
that  man  ;  you  heard  his  threats,  and  he  will  do  his  utmost 
to  fulfill  them. 

Henry.  Yes,  my  country  needs  me,  and  I  must  go. 
But  do  not  fear,  for  the  threat  of  that  one  man  vanishes 
when  we  think  of  the  one  made  by  the  entire  South  against 
our  national  honor.  We  will  think  of  him  as  he  deserves, 
and  place  our  trust  there. 

(Curtain  falls — wood  scene.) 

Scene  III. — [Wood  scene.  Enter  Garnet  R.  1st  E., 
Armstrong  L.  1st  E.] 

Garnet.  Do  you  think  Anderson  can  hold  out  much 
longer?  There  was  some  sharp  firing  against  the  walls  of 
Sumter  to-day. 

Armstrong .  I  saw,  sir,  from  the  heights  overlooking 
the  fort  that  some  of  their  guns  have  been  dismounted,  and 
a  portion  of  the  walls  in  ruins. 

Garnet.  You  go  immediately  with  a  flag  of  truce  and 
demand  the  unconditional  surrender  of  the  fort,  but  if  they 
see  fit  to  fight  it  out,  bring  your  heaviest  guns  to  bear  upon 
the  weakest  portion  of  the  walls  ;  I  think  that  will  bring 
them  to  terms.  Upon  your  return  report  to  me. 

.  [Both  exit,  R.  1  E. 

Scene  IV. — [Fort  scene.  .  Anderson  discovered  in  fort 
with  spy  glass. 

Anderson.  I  pray  heaven  that  before  daylight  I  may 
have  assistance.  I  can  hold  out  but  a  few  hours  longer. 


8 


My  guns  are  nearly  all  dismounted,  and  the  walls  them¬ 
selves,  are  nearly  in  ruins.  What  can  1  do  if  they  do  not 
send  me  aid.  (Enter  Sergeant  Moore,  R.  2dE.) 

Sergt.  Moore.  Major,  there  is  a  boat  approaching 
from  the  shore  with  a  flag  of  truce. 

Anderson.  Let  them  land,  and  conduct  the  officer  in 
charge  to  me.  (Exit  Moore,  R.  2d  E.)  Perhaps 

they  regret  the  rash  steps  they  have  taken,  or  it  may  be 
they  have  come  to  demand  the  surrender  of  the  fort ;  but 
not  while  there  is  life  enough  in  me,  and  powder  enough  in 
my  magazine  to  deny  their  right  to  demand  it,  shall  that 
flag  be  lowered  from  its  proud  position. 

(Enter  Armstrong  and  Moore  R.  2d  E.  Moore  salutes 
and  retires  R.  2d  E. ) 

Armstrong.  Are  you,  sir,  the  commander  of  this  fort? 

Anderson.  I  have  that  honor,  sir. 

Armstrong.  I  am  commanded  by  Gen.  Garnet  to  offer 
you  terms  of  surrender  to  the  Confederate  Government. 

Anderson.  Tell  your  commander  I  was  placed  here  by 
t he  U.  S.  Government  to  command  this  fort,  and  that  is 
the  only  authority  I  shall  recognize  while  I  hold  any  posi¬ 
tion  under  it.  I  shall  hold  this  fort  so  long  as  one  stone  re¬ 
mains  in  place  upon  another. 

Armstrong.  But,  sir,  ’tis  useless ;  you  struggle  in 
vain.  At  daylight  we  shall  bring  our  heaviest  guns  to  bear 
upon  the  weakest  portion  of  the  walls,  and  ere  the  sun  shall 
mark  the  hour  of  noon  naught  will  remain  but  a  pile  of 
blackened  ruins.  You  have  no  right,  sir,  to  sacrifice  brave 
men  in  so  helpless  a  position. 

Anderson.  You  are  right,  sir  ;  I  have  no  right  to  sac¬ 
rifice  them,  but  my  orders  are  to  hold  the  fort.  I  never  yet 
have  disobeyed  an  order,  but  for  humanity’s  sake  I  may  be 


9 


• r 


compelled  to  surrender.  This  much  I  will  do — 1  will  con¬ 
sult  my  men,  and  he  guided  by  them.  Should  we  conclude 
to  surrender,  I  will  fire  a  signal  of‘  two  guns.  (Armstrong 
exits  R.  2d  E.)  Alas!  and  has  it  come  to  this?  Am  1 
to  lower  that  flag  in  dishonor?  But  humanity  to  my  men 
compels  me.  This  is,  indeed,  a  terrible  ordeal — to  decide 
between  duty  to  my  country,  and  humanity  to  my  men. 
This  rendering  tip  of  precious  lives  in  this  unequal  contest 
is  entirely  useless.  Sergeant,  (Enter  Sergt.  Moore,  R. 
2d  E.)  yon  will  muster  the  men  here  immediately.  (Sergt. 
exits  same  as  entered)  May  heaven  direct  me  right.  (En¬ 
ters  Sergt.,  with  soldiers,  R.  3d  E.)  Soldiers,  a  flag  of 
truce  has  just  left  here,  from  the  enemy,  demanding  the 
surrender  of  the  fort.  What  shall  we  do?  Lower  the  old 
flag,  -or  make  these  blackened  walls  our  funeral  pile  ? 

Moore.  We  will  do  as  you  command. 

Anderson.  To  defy  the  enemy  is  certain  death,  and  1 
do  not  think  our  government  would  require  us  to  sacrifice 
our  lives  in  so  helpless  a  cause.  Let  the  sigual  be  given. 
(Drum  struck  twice)  Let  the  flag  be  lowered.  (Business) 
And  the  day  shall  yet  come  when  we  shall  raise  it  again  o\  - 
er  these  walls  without  a  single  stain  upon  its  folds. 

[Tableaux — Death  of  Liberty.  Close  with  front  drop — 

very  slow.] 


ACT  II. 

Scene  I.  [Street.  Enter  Tim,  1st  R.  E.] 

Tim.  Well,  here  lam,  looking  for  a  situation.  Sure 
1  heard  there  was  a  bit  of  a  row  kicking  up  over  here,  so  1 
thought  I’d  come  over  to  see  if  I  could  n’t  get  my  beautiful 
"shillelah  into  it,  for  what  better  employment  could  a  re¬ 
spectable  Irishman  get  into  than  twirling  his  stick  against 


10 


the  heads  of  those  who  deserve  it?  Begorra,  I  am 
lot  the  one  to  hold  hack  when  I’m  wanted  for  a  bit  of  a 
scrimmage.  Where  will  I  find  the  boss,  I  don’t  know,  to 
set  me  at  it?  I’ll  go  down  this  way,  and  see  if  I  can’t  find 
a  recruiting  office ;  sure  they  must  want  lots  of  just  such  as 
me,  and,  begorra,  they  will  get  them,  too.  (introduces 
song)  [Exit,  L.  1st  E. 

Scene  II.  [Interior.  Capt.  Hall  discovered  at  a  table, 
writing.  Enter  Henry,  L.  1st  E.] 

Henry.  Good  morning,  Capt.  Hall,  is  your  regiment 

full? 

Hall.  Not  if  you  want  to  enlist,  Henry. 

Henry.  I  have  made  up  my  mind  to  give  my  services 
to  my  country,  so  1  will  put  my  name  do  mi. 

Hall.  All  right,  Henry,  you  are  just  the  man  I  want. 

Henry.  Thank  you,  Captain.  Any  service  that  I  can 
be  to  you  or  my  country,  I  am  only  too  willing  to  give  it. 
When  does  your  regiment  go  to  the  front  ? 

Hall.  We  are  expecting  orders  every  hour,  so  hold 
yourself  in  readiness  to  march  at  any  moment. 

Henry.  I  shall  be  ready  at  any  time. 

[Enter  Freddie  Waldron,  L.  2d  E. 

Freddie.  Say,  Henry,  I  want  to  enlist. 

Henry.  You  enlist?  You  are  too  young.  What  can 
you  do? 

Freddie.  I  can  drum,  can’t  I? 

Henry.  Oh,  perhaps  you  can  drum  a  little. 

Freddie.  Say,  Captain,  don’t  you  want  a  drummer  ? 

Hall.  Yes,  Freddie,  I  want  a  drummer  ;  but  I  fear 
your  mother  would  hardly  part  with  you. 

Freddie.  But  I  must  go  at  any  rate. 

Henry,  Well,  Freddie,  if  you  must  go,  we  will  go  up 


11 


to  the  house,  and  see  what  mother  says  about  it.  Captain, 

I  will  report  for  duty  iu  an  hour,  and  in  the  meantime  if 
mother  consents  to  let  Freddie  go,  I  will  bring  him  along. 
Hall.  All  right,  Henry. 

[Henry  and  Freddie  exit,  L.  IstE. 
[Enter  Tim,  1st  R.  E. ,  singing. 
Tim.  Is  the  recruiting  officer  in,  I  dunno? 

Hall.  lam  the  recruiting  officer.  What  do  you  want? 
Tim.  Do  you  want  to  hire  any  good,  steady  men  for 


the  army  ? 

Hall.  Our  regiment  is  nearly  full ;  do  you  want  to 
enlist? 


Tim.  How  much  do  you  pay  a  month,  Captain? 

Hall.  Eleven  dollars. 

Tim.  And  how  about  the  eating  and  drinkiug? 

Hall.  The  men’s  rations  are  found. 

Tim.  Found  !  And  where  do  you  find  them,  sura? 

Hull.  They  are  furnished  by  the  government. 

Tim.  Why  in  blue  blazes  did  n’t  you  say  so  before? 
How  often  do  you  pay,  Captain? 

Hall.  It  is  customary  to  pay  every  two  months  in  the 
army. 

Tim.  All  right,  Captain,  I’ll  go  wid  you  ;  so  just  put 
me  name  down,  and  I’ll  make  me  cross. 

Hall.  But,  look  here,  what  is  your  name  ? 

Tim.  Me  name  is  it?  Every  body  iu  the  house 
knows  I’m  Tim  O’Conner,  County  Cavan.  I  am  a  mason’s 
tender  by  education,  but  I  always  thought  I  was  better 
qualified  to  be  a  soldier,  for  you  know  an  Irishman  is  al¬ 
ways  ready  to  twirl  his  stick  around  the  heads  of  those  who 
deserve  it. 

Hall.  You  go  up  to  the  barracks  and  find  the  Colonel, 
and  he  will  swear  you  in. 


12 


Tim.  Swear  me?  No,  sir,  he  won’t.  I  never  swore 
in  me  life  at  all,  and  I  don’t  think  I’ll  begin  now., 

BaU.  I  have  reference  to  your  taking  the  oath  of  al¬ 
legiance.  The  Colonel  will  take  your  name  and  assign  you 
to  such  company  as  he  sees  fit. 

Tim.  Why  in  the  name  of  John  Rogers  did  n’t  you 
say  so?  What,  have  you  been  all  this  time  getting  that 
little  bit  through  you?  I  could  have  said  it  in  half  the 
time.  Well,  I’ll  go  and  shake  the  fist  of  Biddy  good-bye, 
and  leave  her  me  blessing,  and  an  order  for  me  eleven  dol- 
iars  a  month,  and  then  I  will  be  wid  ye. 

[Exit  Tim,  2d  L.  E. 

[Enter  recruits  for  drill,  3d  L.  E.  (Business.) 

Win.  Warren.  Well,  Captain,  how  do  you  think  they 

drill. 

Hall.  They  do  very  well ;  you  can  take  them  up  to 
the  barracks,  and  see  that  every  man  has  everything  in 
shape  for  parade  to-night. 

Warren  Yes. 

[Recruits  exit,  L.  3d  E. 

Hall.  Here,  you  black  rascal,  you. 

[Enter  Joe,  2d  L.  E. 

Joe.  Yes,  massa  Captain,  here  I  is. 

Hall.  You  take  these  papers  up  to  headquarters,  and 
see  that  everything  is  snugly  packed,  for  we  shall  have  to 
inarch  soon. 

[Exit  Hall,  L.  2d  E. 

Joe.  Yes,  uowr  the  devil’s  to  pay  for  sure  ;  somebody’s 
gwine  to  get  hurt.  I’se  goin’  down  South  to  let  them  know 
(hat  they  can’t  have  their  way  any  longer  ;  had  it  loug 
enough.  I  told  ’em  I  was  coming  down  to  pay  ’em  all  1 
owed  ’em,  and  now'  I’se  goin’.  Golly,  I  feel  just  as  good 
as  though  T  was  a  white  man.  (Jig.) 


13 

Scene  III.  [Enter  Win.  Warren,  R.  1st  E. — Street 
scene.] 

Warren.  Well,  I  have  reasons  to  feel  proud  of  my¬ 
self.  I’ve  only  been  in  this  show  a  couple  of  days,  and  got 
promoted  to  a  corporal.  I  suppose  that’s  because  I  am  so 
well  posted  in  the  manual  of  arms.-  When  I  was  a  boy, 
■iiul  went  to  school,  we  used  to  have  a  company,  and  I  was 
captain  of  them  ;  should  n’t  wonder  if  I  was  captain 
again,  before  I  got  home.  I  wonder  what  on  airtli  has  be¬ 
come  of  Sally  Green.  I  expect  there  will  be  some  tarna¬ 
tion  tall  talk  when  she  finds  out  I  have  enlisted,  for  she  sets 
an  awful  sight  by  me.  I  guess  I’ll  go  and  find  her,  and  tell 
her  I’m  a  goin’ ;  she’ll  like  me  all  the  better  when  1  get 
back.  Then  we’ll  get  hitched,  and  settle  down,  taking  care 
of  the  little  Warrens. 

[Exit,  \j.  1st  E. 

Scene  IV.  [Parlor  scene.  Waldron  family  discovered 
in  parlor.] 

Belle.  Oh,  Henry,  it  seems  as  if  we  were  parting  for 
ever.  That  man’s  threat  haunts  me  now  ;  I  fear  him,  and 
l  pray  heaven  that  you  may  never  meet. 

Henry.  For  your  sake,  my  dear  wife,  I  hope  we  new  ¬ 
er  may  ;  but  should  chance  throw  us  together  I  will  try  and 
rid  my  country  of  one  of  her  basest  enemies.  But  look  not 
on  the  dark  side  of  the  picture,  but  upon  the  bright. — 
Turn  your  attention  to  the  wants  of  those  who  leave  their 
homes  to-day,  in  the  defence  of  their  country,  for  there  will 
be  work  enough  for  you  all  to  do  ;  there  will  be  the  sick  and 
the  wounded  to  be  cared  for,  and  this  duty  in  a  great  meas¬ 
ure  we  leave  to  the  women  of  our  land,  well  knowing  how 
faithfully  it  will  be  performed.  So  cheer  up,  and  remember 
you  duties. 

Mrs.  Waldron.  Henry,  into  your  charge  1  place  my 


14 


darling  boy.  Watch  over  him.  and  guard  him  from  dan¬ 
ger  and  evil.  If  harm  should  come  to  him  it  would  break 
my  heart. 

Henry.  Mother,  1  will  guard  him  faithfully  from  all 
evil  temptations  ;  but  wherever  his  duty  calls  him  even  tho' 
it  leads  to  danger,  there  must  he  ever  be  found;  and  now, 
your  blessing.  Good-bye,  father,  you  will  come  down  and 
’  see  the  regiment  off.  Good-bye,  mother  :  good-bve.  good¬ 
bye,  Belle. 

Freddie.  Good-bye,  father  ;  good-bye,  mother. 

[Exit  Henry  and  Freddie,  L.  2d  E. 

Scene  V.  [Street.  Enter  Sally  Green,  R.  1st  E.] 

Sally.  Goodness,  grucious  me  !  What  on  airth  is  this 
here  world  a  coming  to  ?  I  never  had  any  faith  in  that 
Southern  critter  that  came  down  here  to  visit  the  Waldrons. 
I  always  told  ’em  they’d  have  a  rumpus,  and  now  they’ve 
got  it.  I  hear  there  is  to  be  a  war  between  the  North  and 
the  South  He  is  going  to  join  the  South,  and  Henry  and 
Freddie  Waldron  have  enlisted  on  the  other  side  ;  and  there 
is  that  tarnal  Wm.  Warren,  he  is  going  off  to  get  shot.  Oh, 
these  men.  they  aint  to  be  trusted.  He  has  been  promis¬ 
ing  and  promising  to  marry  me,  for  the  last  ten  years,  and 
now  he  has  gone  off.  and  that  will  be  the  last  I  shall  ever 
see  of  him.  Here  I  have  been  knitting  mittens  and  mak¬ 
ing  clothes  for  him  ever  since  he  was  knee-high  to  a  grass¬ 
hopper.  and  this  is  the  way  I  get  my  pay  for  it.  I’ll  uever 
place  my  affections  on  another  male  critter  the  longest  day 
of  my  natural  existence,  never.  [Exit  left  1st  E. 

Scene  VI.  [Landscape.  Villages  discovered.  Enter 
('apt.  Hall  and  company.] 

Belle.  Soldiers,  in  behalf  of  vour  friends,  I  present 
you  with  this  flag,  (Business,)  knowing  that  you  will 
guard  its  honor  faithfully,  and  when  you  see  its  bright  folds 
waving  above  the  smoke  and  din  of  battle,  may  it  make 
strong  your  hearts  for  the  conflict.  Hoping  you  may  all 
safely  return  to  the  dear  ones  you  part  with  to-day,  with  the 
bright  rainbow’  of  peace  shining  o’er  our  land.  I  now’  bid 
yTou  God-speed. 


15 


Hall.  Ladies,  we  accept  tliis  flag  as  a  sacred  memeu- 
to,  from  the  fair  hands  that  have  presented  it.  We  pledge 
,ou  to  guard  it  with  our  lives,  and  when  we  look  upon  its 
sacred  folds  waving  in  the  sunlight  of  heaven,  it  will  make 
strong  our  hearts  for  the  conflict.  We  pledge  you  that  no 
hlot  of  shame  shall  tarnish  its  purity,  while  the  strong  arms 
of  those  to  whose  keeping  you  have  given  it,  while  they 
have  life  to  guard  it.  And  should  we  survive  to  bear  it 
back  to  our  native  hills  again,  its  folds  may  be  tattered  and 
war-worn,  like  ourselves,  but  it  shall  be  as  pure  and  unsul¬ 
lied  as  when  you  presented  it  to  us.  Color  bearer,  advance  ; 
(business)  about  face,  to  your  post,  march. 

[Exit  soldiers,  dd  L.  E. 

Scene  VII.  [Street  scene.  Enter  Tim",  1st  R.  E.] 

Tim.  Oh  mushey  !  Now,  by  the  powers  of  mud,  and 
that’s  a  dirty  oath,  what  will  I  do?  Faith,  them  sogers 
have  gone  off  and  forgot  to  take  me  wid  ’em.  I  suppose 
they  thought  I  was  n’t  of  enough  account  to  bother  wid, 
but  I  guess  they’ll  find  out  their  mistake  some  of  these  fine 
days.  I  suppose  they  will  shoot  me  now  for  a  deserter 
when  they  get  me.  Oh,  bad  luck  to  the  day  that  ever  I 
went  for  a  soger.  [Introduces  song,  and  exits,  1st  L.  E. 

[Enters  Ellsworth  1st  R.  E.,  Brownell  1st  L.  E.j 

Brownell.  Here  is  an  order  Gen.  Slough  wishes  you 
to  have  immediatly  executed. 

Ellsworth.  I  will  do  so  at  once  ;  follow  me. 

•  [Both  exit  L.  1st  E. 

Scene  VIII.  [Chamber  scene.  Ellsworth  discovered 
in  chamber.] 

Ellsworth.  Lay  there  vile  rag.  (Business.) 

[Close  with  wood  scene. 

Scene  IX.  [Wood  scene.  Enter  Lougstreet,  1  It.  E., 
Armstrong,  1st  L.  E.] 

Armstrong.  I  have  just  received  information  from  one 
of  our  scouts  that  has  been  in  Washington,  that  there  are 


16 


very  few  troops  there,  and  the  city  is  badly  fortified. 

Longstrect.  If  it  was  possible  to  make  a  flank  move¬ 
ment  to  the  west  as  far  as  Harper’s  Ferry,  then  through 
Pennsylvania,  and  by  forced  marches  fall  upon  Washington 
before  they  could  get  reinforcements,  the  Capitol  of  the 
North  would  be  ours.  What  think  you  of  the  plan  ? 

Armstrong .  I  think  it  an  excellent  idea,  sir. 

Longstreet.  Now,  then,  you  send  a  courier  with  the 
utmost  despatch  to  Johnson’s  headquarters,  telling  him  to 
meet  me  to-morrow  at  noon,  at  Culpepper,  and  I  will  at 
once  communicate  with  Hardee,  who  will  send  me  a  rein¬ 
forcement  of  cavalry  to  meet  our  advance  twelve  miles  west 
of  Winchester.  See  to  it  that  these  orders  tire  promptly 
executed. 

Armstrong.  I  will  do  so.  (Exit  Longstreet,  L.  1st 
E.)  At  last  we  have  the  best  of  these  Northern  Yankees. 
1  wonder  if  Henry  Waldron  is  at  the  front.  I  would  like  to 
get  him  once  into  my  power.  I  wonld  make  him  pay  dearly 
for  the  insult  he  has  given  me  before  his  wife.  Hallo,  who 
have  wc  here?  (Enter  Joe,  1st  R.  E.).  Joe.  as  J  live! 
Hallo.  Joe  ! 

Joe.  T  golh?,  massa  Armstrong,  is  that  you?  Just  as 
soon  thought  of  seeing  my  ghost  as  seeing  you. 

Armstrong.  Well,  Joe,  what  are  you  doing  of  down 
here?  I  thought  I  left  you  up  North. 

Joe.  Yes,  so  you  did,  but  I  did  n’t  stay  there,  though. 
Jes’  thought  I  would  come  down  South  and  see  if  I  couldn’t 
find  old  massa. 

Armstrong.  That  is  right.  How  are  all  the  Waldrons 
Joe  ?  • 

Joe.  Oh,  they  is  pretty  well  the  last  time  I  seen  ’em. 

Armstrong.  Where  is  Henry?  In  the  Northern  army. 
I  suppose. 


17 


Joe.  Yes.  I  believe  he  has  ’listed. 

Armstnong.  Say,  Joe,  tell  me  the  number  of  his  regi¬ 
ment. 

Joe.  Golly,  massa  Armstrong,  Ise  forgotten  it ;  bnt 
let  me  see  ’tis  the  999th  Pennsyltucky. 

Armstroriq.  Well,  Joe,  our  camp  is  right  down  here, 
just  across  the  run  ;  come  down  and  see  me  some  day. 

[Exit  1st  R.  E. 

Joe.  Yes,  I  guess  when  you  get  this  child  down  there 
you’ll  catch  a  white  blackbird.  Golly,  didn’t  1  pull  the 
wool  over  that  fellow’s  eyes.  He  believed  every  word  J 
told  him  ;  but  1  guess  I  hadn’t  better  be  fooling  away  my 
time  here  any  longer,  some  of  them  rebs  might  be  laying 
violent  hands  on  me,  then  I  should  be  gobbled  up. 

[Exit  L.  1st  E. 

Scene  X.  [Parlor  scene.  Ellsworth  lying  in  state, 
dark  stage.  Tableaux — The  immortal  crown.  Close  with 
front  drop — very  slow.] 

ACT  III. 

Scene  I.  [Landscape.  Midnight  camp  discovered, 
dark  stage.] 

Henry.  Poor  fellows  !  how  ^  soundly  they  sleep,  after 
their  long,  weary  march.  Who  can  tell  which  of  us 
here,  now  full  of  life  and  hope,  will,  ere  another  day,  be 
sleeping  his  long,  last  sleep.  Poor  Freddie,  he  was  so  tired 
when  we  arrived  here.  lie  is  too  small  and  too  young  for 
this  rough  life.  I  had  a  letter  from  my  mother,  to-day,  in 
which  she  says — take  good  care  of  my  baby  boy,  Henry. 
He  must  miss  his  mother’s  care.  He  does,  mother,  miss 
your  care,  for  who  can  fill  a  mother’s  place  in  her  care  for 
a  child.  I  will  answer  her  letter  now,  for  who  can  tell 
when  another  opportunity  may  be  given  me.  Dear  mother. 


V 


IS 

we  arrived  here,  to-day,  after  a  hard  march  of  twenty-five 
miles.  Freddie  and  myself  are  well,  and  in  the  best  of 
spirits,  but  that  you  may  be  prepared  for  anything  that  may 
happen  to  Freddie  or  me,  I  must  tell  yon  that  to-morrow 
we  fight  a  big  battle,  unless  Lee  retreats.  His  army  lies 
directly  in  our  front.  Should  anything  happen  to  Freddie 
or  me,  will  let  you  know  at  once.  I  cannot  write  any  more 
co-night,  for  I  must  rest,  so  that  I  may  be  prepared  for  the 
work  to-morrow.  Give  our  love  to  father  and  Belle  ;  will 
write  her  soon.  Yours,  always,  Henry. 

There,  that  is  finished  ;  now  1  will  join  my  comrades  in  the 
land  of  dreams,  and  may  a  merciful  providence  guard  us 
and  watch  over  us,  and  whatever  may  be  our  fate  on  the 
morrow,  teach  us,  with  all  thankfulness  of  heart,  to  say  Thy 
will  and  not  ours  be  done.  (Singing  Dreaming  of  Home — 
Tableaux — Soldier’s  Vision.) 

[Enter  Sergeant  Mooar,  L.  running. 

Mooctr.  We  are  surprised  ;  the  pickets  are  driven  in. 

[Exit  L. 

(Battle. — Tableaux — Victory.  Close  with  wood.) 

Scene  II.  [Wood.  Enter  Joe  1st  R.  E.] 

Joe.  I’ve  been  looking  all  over  this  place  for  massa 
Waldron  ;  Can’t  find  him  nowhar.  That  fellow  is  more 
trouble  to  me  than  if  he  was  my  own  bruddcr.  Who,  who, 
who  comes  there ? 

[Enter  Wm.  Warren  R.  1st  E. 

Warren.  Hallo,  Joe,  is  that  you?  I  heard  the  guns 
a  firing  down  here,  and  I  tried  to  hurry  up,  but  my  legs 
went  back  on  me.  I  was  down  here  about  two  miles,  and 
tried  to  get  here,  but  I  could  n’t.  Say,  Joe,  is  there  any¬ 
body  hurt? 


19 


Joe.  Hurt !  More  than  four  hundred  millions  killed. 
Bring  ’em  in  by  the  cart-load  every  minute. 

Warre.n  Just  my  darned  luck  !  Just  as  sure  as  I  go 
hunting  something  for  invalids,  they  up  and  have  a  light. 
I’ll  be  horn  swaggled  if  ever  I’ll  go  hunting  turkeys  again 
as  long  as  I’m  in  the  army  !  Here  Joe,  you  take  these  to 
camp  and  cook  them.  Here,  don’t  yon  want  a  drink  of  ap¬ 
ple  jack  ? 

Joe.  Come,  massa  Warren,  let’s  go  up  to  camp,  and 
see  how  all  the  boys  are. 

*  [Joe  exit  L.  1st  E. 

[Enter  Sally  Green,  R.  1st  E.  Warren  drinking  out  of 
his  canteen.] 

Sally.  Why,  Win.  Warren,  is  that  you  in  the  name 
of  my  favorite  author,  Shakespeare, — is  that  you  I  see  be¬ 
fore  me? 

Warren.  Gosh  all  hemlock  !  Sally  Green,  what  are 
vou  doing  down  here,  amongst  this  strife  and  carnage? 

Sally.  Why,  I’m  in  the  hospital.  I  came  down  to 
soothe  the  wounded  and  the  weary.  But  I  have  had  awful 
dreams  about  you.  I  thought  you  must  be  either  sick  or 
killed. 

Warren.  No,  I  aint  sick  or  killed,  either,  but  I  have 
had  some  narrow  escapes  from  both — just  my  darned  luck. 

Sally.  Let’s  go  up  to  camp,  and  see  if  we  can  find  the 
Waldrons,  and  see  if  the  rest  of  the  boys  are  safe.  Oh. 
dear  !  I’m  all  of  a  flutter. 

Warren.  Just  your  darned  luck  ! 

[Both  exit  L.  1st  E. 

Scene  III.  [Landscape.  Night  after  the  battle.  dark 
stage.  Sisters  of  Charity  on  the  battle  field. 

Scene  IV,  [Wood.  Enter  Major  General  and  staff,  L. 
1st  E.] 


20 


Maj.  Gen.  yieade.  General,  you  see  by  this  map  that 
the  nearest  way  is  by  the  town  of  Martinsburg.  The  pick¬ 
ets  tell  me  that  there  are  none  of  the  enemy  there.  We  will  - 
have  the  Fifth  corps  proceed  by  this  route,  and  you  may 
order  the  march  immediately.  (Exit  Gen’l.)  Col.,  let 
your  cavalry  reinforce  Gen.  Dahlgren.  (Exit  Col.)  Major, 
let  the  picket  be  doubled  on  the  pike  south  of  Hagarstown  : 
should  you  see  any  sign  ot  the  enemy,  report  to  me  at  once. 
(Exit  Major.)  Capt.  Hall,  I  want  a  man  of  nerve  and 
brain  to  enter  the  lines  of  the  enemy,  ascertain  the  num¬ 
ber  of  their  reinforcements,  and  such  other  information  as 
svill  be  of  service  to  us. 

Hall.  I  know  of  but  one  man  that  I  can  recommend  ; 
He  is  a  sergeant  in  my  company,  by  the  name  of  W aldron . 
He  is  brave,  and  one  that  would  undertake  such  a  mission 
with  success,  I  should  think. 

Meade.  Send  him  to  me  immediately.  (Exit  Hall) 
Now  if  I  can  rind  the  right  man  to  send  on  this  mission, 
the  information  he  would  bring  back  wonld,  I  am  satisfied, 
in  a  great  measure,  save  the  useless  exposure  of  40.000 
lives.  [Enter  Henry, 

Henry.  My  captain  informs  me  that  you  wish  to  see 
me,  General. 

Meade.  Your  name,  and  to  what  regiment  do  you  be¬ 
long? 

Henry.  Henry  Waldron.  Sergt.  Co.  A..  19th  Maim- 
cegiment. 

Meade.  Sergeant,  1  have  a  dangerous  mission  that 
some  one  must  go  upon — that  of  a  spy — and  your  captain 
has  recommended  you.  Are  you  willing  to  undertake  such 
a  hazardous  duty  ? 

Henry.  I  am  at  the  disposal  of  my  country,  and  will 


21 


try  and  do  my  duty  in  whatever  position  is  assigned  me ;  1 

will  go,  and  do  my  best. 

Meade.  These  are  your  instructions  : — You  are  to  en¬ 
ter  the  lines  of  the  enemy,  ascertain  the  number  of  their  re¬ 
inforcements,  and  such  other  information  as  may  be  valua¬ 
ble  to  us.  You  are  to  leave  the  lines  to-night,  and  it  must 
be  given  out  that  you  have  deserted,  in  order  to  secure  the 
success  of  your  mission,  and  on  your  return  report  to  me  ; 
and  should  you  succeed  you  shall  have  a  commission.  The 
Quartermaster  will  furnish  you  with  such  articles  as  you 
may  need. 

Henry.  General,  I  have  a  request  to  make.  I  enter¬ 
ed  the  service  for  the  good  of  my  country.  I  have  never 
yet  disobeyed  an  order  from  any  officer,  and  1  would  not 
have  my  name  go  down  to  posterity,  branded  as  a  deserter, 
[f  anything  should  happen  to  prevent  my  return,  will  you 
tell  my  regiment  the  true  history  of  this  mission  ? 

Meade.  It  shall  by  special  order  be  read  to  the  entire 
division  to  which  your  regiment  belongs. 

Henry.  Thank  you,  General,  I  am  satisfied.  When 
shall  I  depart? 

Meade.  As  soon  as  night  sets  in.  Mere  is  the  coun¬ 
tersign  that  will  take  you  though  the  picket  lines  of  our  ar¬ 
ray. 

Henry.  I  will  leave  at  once. 

[Both  exit  same  as  enteriug. 

[Enter  Tim  with  two  prisoners.] 

Tim  Get  along  with  ye !  Halt,  front!  .lust  stand 
right  there  where  I  put  ye  ’till  I  have  a  bit  of  a  smoke. 
Have  you  got  a  match  about  ye?  Give  it  to  me,  and  don’t 
be  all  day  about  it,  either.  Now  mind,  don’t  you  try  to 
get  away,  if  you  do  I’ll  punch  daylight  right  through  ye. 
(Sits  down  and  eats)  Don’t  you  want  a  bite?  No  you 


22 


don’t;  not  if  I  know  myself.  You  are  a  pretty  looking 
bird,  you  are,  aint  ye?  Have  they  got  any  more  down 
there  like  ye?  Ye  belong  to  the  Southern  ehivalry.  do  ye? 
Faith.  I  should  think  ye  belonged  to  the  ragmuffins.  Do 
you  know  what  I’m  going  to  do  with  ye?  I’m  going  to 
take  ye  down  to  the  old  Capital,  and  make  ye  take  the  iron¬ 
clad  oath,  and  theu  ye’ll  be  white-washed  Yankees.  Have 
ye  got  any  money  about  ye?  (Business)  What  is  the  use 
tor  me  to  be  hunting  for  money  on  the  likes  of  you,  for  ye 
never  had  ten  cents  in  your  life,  unless  it  was  in  Confeder¬ 
ate  scrip.  I  guess  we  had  better  be  getting  out  of  this,  for 
fear  some  of  your  friends  might  come  along.  Now  don’t 
you  try  to  come  any  of  your  Ephraims  on  me,  for  if  you  do 
ye’ll  get  my  Irish  up,  and  then  I  wouldn’t  give  three  cents 
for  your  lives.  Out  wid  ye,  ve  dirty  blackguards,  ye  ! 

[All  exit  1st  L.  E. 

Scene  V.  [Landscape.  Confederate  camp  discovered.] 
Armstrong.  I  cannot  write  to-night,  for  my  heart  is  so 
sad.  For  when  I  look  around  me  and  see  Qur  thin  ranks,  it 
seems  as  if  our  cause  was  almost  hopeless.  It  was  only 
yesterday  1  heard  of  my  mother’s  death.  She  died  far 
away  in  that  Southern  home,  with  none  of  that  once  happy 
family  to  soothe  her  dying  pillow  :  and  my  father  and  two 
brothers  have  sacrified  their  lives,  and  if  my  country  should 
call  upon  me  to  do  the  same,  I  would  do  it  willingly.  I 
may  be  a  traitor  to  my  country,  and  I  may  be  a  traitor  to 
my  God.  but  to  the  mother  in  heaven  that  bore  me,  oh,  how 
can  I  be  a  traitor  to  her?  It  was  she  who  first  taught  my 
infant  lips  to  say — the  Sonth  is  your  home,  and  ■  should  she 
ever  call  upon  you  to  defend  her  rights,  defend  them  with 
your  life — and  even  now  I  seem  to  see  her  smiling  down 
upon  me,  saying — You  are  right ;  go  forth  to  your  duty, 
and  your  reward  shall  be  a  crown  of  glory. 


23 


[Enter  Henry  it.  2d  E. 

Henry.  Good  morning,  Colonel  ;  want  to  buy  some 
apples,  only  a  cent  apiece? 

Armstrong.  No,  I  don’t  want  any. 

Henry.  You  don’t  mind  if  I. sell  the  boys  some,  do  you 
Colonel  ? 

Armstrong .  No,  sell  them  all  you  can  ;  but  see  here, 
have  you  seen  any  Yanks  around  here  lately? 

Henry.  Yes,  I  saw  some  a  few  days  ago,  scouting 
tround  here  ;  they  tried  to  pump  me,  and  find  out  how 
many  guns  we  had  in  the  fort  up  on  the  hill.  But  that 
wan’t  no  go — that  sprihg  was  dry.  J  have  found  out  all 
about  them,  though ;  you  see  they  have  got  about  40- 
000  men  down  here,  trying  to  get  through  one  of  the  gaps, 
so  as  to  get  into  Fredericksburg.  I  reckon  they  don’t  know 
our  boys  is  so  near  ’em,  do  you  Colonel? 

Armstrong.  Well,  if  that  is  their  route  we  shan’t 
trouble  them  at  present,  for  we  have  got  here  100,000  men, 
and  Lee  has  twice  that  number,  and  Moseby  is  endeavoring 
to  get  to  the  rear  of  these  Yanks  ;  so  you  see  that  40,000 
will  get  taken  care  of  as  soon  as  they  get  to  the  gap.  for 
Lee  intends  marching  on  Washington,  and  the  Capital  of 
the  North  will  be  ours. 

Henry.  I  am  right  glad  you  told  me,  Colonel,  as  1 
was  getting  kinder  scared.  I  did  n’t  know  but  they  might 
be  coming  down  here,  and  gobble  us  all  up  some  night.  You 
see  I  lives  alone,  right  down  here  by  the  crick  :  reckon  I’ll 
be  going  down  a  doing  up  the  chores,  getting  to  be  late. 
Now  to  get  this  information  to  Gen.  Meade  ;  I  cannot  go 
myself,  for  there  is  more  work  for  me  to  do  here,  yet  I 
know  no  other  way  but  for  me  to  go,  for  they  must  be 
warned,  or  they  are  lost.  Ah  !  James  Armstrong,  you  lit- 


24 


tie  know  to  whose  keeping  you  have  confided  the  secrets  of 
your  movements  ! 

Armstrong.  What  are  you  muttering  to  yourself  about? 

Henry.  Oh,  nothing;  I  was  only  reckoning  up  how 
much  I  had  made  to-day,  and  I  find  I  have  done  a  pretty 
good  day’s  work.  Good  day,  Col. 

[Exit  R. 

Sergt.  Fairfax.  See  here,  Col.,  that  man  is  not  what 
he  pretends  to  be.  He  don’t  stay  around  here  selling  ap¬ 
ples  for  a  living.  Did  you  notice  how  he  said  he  had  done 
a  pretty  good  day’s  work? 

Armstrong.  See  here,  fellow.  I  want  to  speak  to  vou 
a  moment. 

[Enter  Henrv  R. 

Henry.  Changed  your  mind?  I  thought  you  would 
buy  some  apples. 

Armstrong .  It  seems  to  me  that  I  have  seen  that  face 
before.  (Business)  Henry  Waldron  !  This  is  a  pretty  guise 
to  be  in,  that  of  a  spy.  Wlmt  are  you  doing  here? 

Henry.  My  duty. 

Armstrong.  Yes,  that  of  a  spy.  Well,  1  could  expect 
nothing  better  from  one  who  would  so  basely  insult  his 
friends.  These  papers  are  of  much  importance  to-  the 
Northern  army,  but  I  will  see  that  they  never  get  there. 
They,  sir,  are  your  death  warrant.  You  will  be  tried  by  a 
drum-head  court  martial,  and  shot  at  daylight  to-morrow. 

[Enter  Joe,  R.  2d  E. 

Henry ,  Do  not  recognize  me,  for  your  life. 

Armstrong.  Sergt.,  take  those  papers  to  headquarters, 
and  report  the  capture  of  the  prisoner. 

Henry.  Joe,  follow  that  man,  and  secure  those  papers 


if  you  have  to  kill  him  ;  the  lives  of  40,000  men  will  bo 
sacrificed  if  you  don’t  succeed. 

[Exit  Joe  R.  2d  R. 

Armstrong .  I  think  now  that  your  proud  wife  that 
spurned  me  from  her  home  would  kneel  at  my  feet  and  beg 
for  the  life  of  her  husband,  but  I  will  send  the  news  to 
your  home.  I  will  tell  them  that  your  life  was  in  my  keep¬ 
ing,  and  I  could  have  saved  it,  but  duty  compelled  me 
to  the  sacrifice ;  then  I  will  picture  to  them  how  like  a  cow¬ 
ard  you  died.  IIow  with  pale  cheeks  and  trembling  limbs 
you  begged  for  your  life.  I)o  you  know  that  I  have  hoped 
for  this  hour,  aye.,  prayed  for  it,  when  I  should  meet  you 
face  to  face  as  I  meet  you  now.  As  true  as  1  stand  here  I 
would  give  one-half  the  life  in  store  for  me  for  this  hour  of 
revenge. 

Henry.  James  Armstrong,  when  I  placed  my  name  on 
that  sacred  roll  and  swore  to  protect  the  flag  you  would  tram¬ 
ple  beneath  your  feet.  1  gave  my  life  to  the  disposal  of  my 
.country  and  placed  my  trust  in  God.  Standing  here  as  I  do 
now,  with  the  sentence  upon  your  lips  that  may  decide  my 
fate,  I  do  not  tremble  at  your  threats.  I  do  not  ask  with  pale 
lips  and  trembling  limbs  for  you  to  spare  my  life.  My  country- 
needed  my  services  here  and  I  came  willingly,  well  knowing 
the  danger  of  the  mission.  Should  your  sentence  be  fulfilled 
I  shall  die  with  the  consciousness  of  having  done  my  duty. 
I  do  not  fear  you,  but  despise  and  pity  you.  Do  your  worst. 
Shoot  me  ;  hang  me  ;  torture  me  in  any  manner  that  your 
fiendish  nature  may  devise,  and  when  the  time  does  come 
you  shall  see  how  a  loyal  soldier  can  die  fighting  fora  cause 
that  is  sacred  to  him. 

Armstrong .  Sentinel,  remove  the  prisoner  to  the  guard 
house.  I  shall  hold  you  responsible  for  his  safe  keeping. — 
(close  with  wood.) 


•26 


Scene  VI.  [Wood  scene.  Enter  Joe,  1.  R.E.  running.]] 

Joe.  Golly,  if  that  fellow’s  head  ain’t  harder  than  a  nig¬ 
gers.  I  guess  I  hurt  him  some.  Oh  dear,  poor  massa 
Henry  !  I  guess  lie’s  gone  for  sure  this  time.  He  has  been 
down  here  in  the  secesh  lines  for  over  six  months  spying  for 
our  side.  They  got  him  two  or  three  times  before,  but  he 
got  away  somehow.  But  1  guess  they  got  him  one  too 
many  times,  for  sure.  If  1  could  only  get  some  of  these 
nigs  to  go  down  and  help  me  get  massa  Henry  out!  No, 
dat  won’t  do.  I  must  go  and  carry  dese  papers  to  the  head 
General.  No,  dat  won’t  do.  I  will  never  leave  massa  Hen¬ 
ry  here  to  die,  nohow.  I  will  have  him  out  of  that  prison 
if  I  have  to  kill  three  or  four  secesh  to  do  it.  Who,  who. 
comes  there?  [Enter  Warren  1st  Ii.  E. 

Warren.  Hulloa,  Joe,  is  that  you? 

Joe.  My  golly,  massa  Warren,  Ise  gladder  to  see  you 
than  as  though  I  had  ten  dollars. 

Warren.  Say,  Joe,  do  you  know  anything  about  where, 
we  are? 

Joe.  Yes,  massa  Warren,  wese  down  among  the  Rebs, 
right  in  the  secesh  lines. 

Warren.  Gosh  all  hemlock,  is  that  so.  Just  our  darned 
luck. 

Joe.  Say,  massa  Warren,  do  you  know  the  Rebs  have 
got  massa  Henry,  and  are  going  to  shoot  him  for  a  spy  ! 

Warren.  Good  enough  for  him,  he  had  never  no  business 
to  go  and  desert. 

Joe.  If  you  think  he  deserted,  you  just  readdem  papers. 
Dem’s  what  they  took  away  from  him  when  they  took  him. 

Warrm.  Well,  I’ll  be  horn  swaggled  if  them  aint  plans 
of  the  rebels’  forts.  Say,  Joe,  did  they  find  these  all  on 


27 


him  when  they  took  him?  Then  he’s  a  gone  goose,  that’s 
sartin. 

Joe.  That’s  just  the  conclusion  I  come  to,  massa  Warren. 

Warren.  Joe,  do  you  know  the  kintry  ’round  here? 

Joe.  Guess  I  do.  1  wasn’t  brought  up  ’round  here  for 
nothing.  Do  you  see  that  little  hut  up  there  on  the  hill? — 
There  is  an  old  nig  that  lives  up  there  all  alone  by  himself. 
VVe  can  go  up  there  and  stay  till  after  dark,  then  come  down 
round  by  the  bridge  where  I  ’spects  they’ve  got  massa  Henry 
confined.  They’ll  have  only  one  guard  on  there  at  a  time. 
We’ll  just  take  and  slip  his  wind  and  get  massa  Ilenry  out. 
What  do  you  say? 

Warren.  Well,  I  don’t  know,  Joe.  It’s  pretty  ticklish 
business  ;  ’twould  be  kinder  cowardly  I  suppose  to  go  off 
and  not  try  to  get  him  out.  Say,  Joe,  s’pose  I  get  a  bullet 
in  my  old  hide  ! 

Joe.  ’Twont  hurt  only  just  a  minute,  massa  Warren. — 
Come,  let’s  go  and  get  massa  II  enry  out. 

[Both  exit  L.  1st  E. 

Scene  VII.  [Landscape.  Enter  Joe  and  Warren  L.  3d 
E.  Dark  stage.] 

Warren.  Hit  him?  Hit  him  ! 

Joe.  Don’t  like  to  make*  a  widder  woman  of  him  too 
quick. 

Warren.  You  are  afraid  ;  you  dasn’t. 

Joe.  (Business.)  You  think  Ise  afraid,  do  ye ;  guess 
not  much,  honey.  [Exits  R.  after  Henry.]  Come,  massa 
Henry,  let’s  be  getting  out  of  here  ;  the  Rebs  will  be  after  us. 

Henry.  Quick  !  Quick  !  There  is  another  sentinel  a 
the  other  end  of  the  guard  house.  Back,  if  you  value  your 
lives,  back  !  I  stand  here  a  free  man  with  arms  about  me, 
and  will  fight  my  way  clear  or  die.  The  first  to  come  shall 
be  the  first  to  fall.  [Close  with  front  drop.] 


28 

A  C  T  I  V. 

Scene  I.  [Landscape.  Rebel  prison  discovered. ] 

Freddie.  Henry,  can’t  you  get  me  some  bread?  I  am  so 
hungry. 

Henry.  No,  Freddie  ;  I  gave  you  all  I  had  this  morn¬ 
ing,  but  it  is  most  time  for  our  rations.  True,  it  is  a  little 
they  give  us,  and  poor  at  that,  but  if  we  can  only  hold  out  a 
little  longer  we  shall  be  exchanged,  I  know  we  shall. 

Freddie.  But  there  is  small  hope  and  little  faith. 

Henry.  But  let  us  still  hope  on  and  have  faith  in  Him. 

William  Tucker.  Henry,  I  am  dying,  starving.  I  have 
tried  to  hold  out,  hoping  they  would  exchange  us,  but  I  al¬ 
ready  feel  the  fingers  of  Death  clutching  my  throat,  and  1 
know  that  I  cannot  stay  with  you  but  a  few  hours  longer. 
When  you  see  Nellie,  give  her  this.  Tell  her  that  I  died 
that  my  country  might  live.  Good-bye,  Henry  ;  good-bye, 
comrades  ;  God  bless  you  all. 

.  Henry.  My  country,  on  thine  altar  I  lay  another  offering 
for  liberty.  His  poor  wife  and  mother’s  heart  will  break 
when  they  know  he  is  dead.  Oh,  why  do  they  leave  us 
here  to  starve?  Why  do  they  not  exchange  us  and  put  us 
in  the  field  again,  with  a  good  sword  in  our  grasp,  and  there 
let  us  die  fighting  like  men?  But  to  be  penned  up  here  and 
starve,  it  is  indeed  terrible  ! 

Sentinel.  Say,  Bill,  there  is  another  dead  Yank  inside. 

[Enter  two  Rebs.  R.  2d  E.  with  stretcher,  and  exit  same 
as  entering.] 

Henry.  Comrades,  I  can  hold  out  but  little  longer  if 
such  scenes  as  these  are  repeated.  It  makes  my  very  blood 
boil  to  see  with  what  fiendish  cruelty  our  poor  dead  com¬ 
rades  are  treated.  Oh,  my  brain  is  almost  crazed  by  the 
many  scenes  I  have  witnessed  like  these. 


29 


Freddie.  Henry,  I  am  almost  choked  for  the  want  of 
some  water.  I  have  .almost  a  good  mind  to  go  over  the  dead 
line  and  get  some. 

Henry.  No,  no,  Freddie,  not  for  the  world  ;  ’twas  only 
yesterday  they  shot  poor  Tom  for  doing  so. 

Freddie.  We  might  as  well  get  shot  and  end  it  as  stay 
here  and  starve. 

[Enters  Armstrong,  li.  2d  E,] 

Armstrong.  Here,  you  ragamuffins,  how  do  you  like  the 
looks  of  that,  made  out  of  good  corn  meal  and  water?  That’s 
what  makes  you  all  so  fat.  (Prisoners  all  ask  for  bread.) 
Back,  and  wait  till  I  get  ready  to  give  it  to  you. 

Henry.  You’re  a  brave  man  to  taunt  men  as  helpless  as 
you  know  us  to  he.  Is  there  not  one  spark  of  pity  left  in 
your  fiendish  soul? 

Armstrong.  Pity  in  my  soul !  No,  not  for  you  and  your 
Yankee  trash.  Do  you  suppose  I  would  have  left  my  com¬ 
mand  in  the  field  had  I  not  read  your  name  in  the  official 
list?  No,  no;  you  have  escaped  me  once,  hut  you  cannot 
escape  me  now.  Inch  by  inch  I’ll  have  your  very  life  and 
that  brat  you  have  got  with  you.  I  will  starve  you  till  your 
bones  protrude  through  your  flesh.  You  do  not  look  much 
like  the  gay  Henry  Waldron  you  used  to  be.  The  fair  maids 
of  Pleasant ville  woidd  hardly  know  you  now. 

Henry.  Your  jeering  taunts  and  cruel  threats  fall  upon 
my  ear  without  effect.  1  forgive  you  and  pray  that  heaven 
may.  [Armstrong  shoots  Freddie.] 

Armstrong .  Take  that,  you  Yankee  brat.  I’ll  learn  you 
to  disobey  the  rules  of  the  prison. 

Henry.  Speak  to  me,  Freddie.  Have  you  not  one  word 
to  send  to  poor  mother?  How  cold  his  little  hands  have 


30 

grown  that  have  so  often  nestled  in  my  own.  Can  I  not 
warm  them  back  to  life?  Poor  boy  !  ’twas  cruel  to  kill  him 
thus  when  his  troubles  were  almost  over. 

Armstrong.  And  now  let  the  rest  of  you  take  warning 
from  him.  And  as  for  you,  did  not  I  enjoy  your  torture 
more  than  I  should  your  death.  I’d  send  you  after  him. 

Henry.  You  are  a  brave  man,  ain’t  you?  Yout.  can  kill 
boys  unarmed,  but  as  I  have  done  before,  I  now  defy  you 
again.  If  you  have  one  spark  of  that  courage  of  which  you 
boast,  show  it.  There  is  my  heart ;  fire  if  you  dare.  You 
haven’t  got  the  nerve  to  do  it. 

Armstrong.  Oh,  no;  I  have  something  better  in  store  for 
you.  I  intended  at  some  future  time  to  put  you  to  the  tor¬ 
ture,  but  since  you  have  defied  me,  I  will  go  and  prepare  it 
for  you  now,  and  we  will  see  if  a  loyal  soldier  won’t  shrink 
from  death.  [Exit,  R.  2d  E. 

Henry.  Comrades,  hear  me.  A  few  moments  ago  I  for¬ 
gave  that  man,  and  I  prayed  in  my  inmost  soul  that  heaven 
might  forgive  him,  too.  But  here,  kneeling  beside  my  dead 
brother,  I  swear  never  to  know  the  balmy  powers  of  sleep, 
never  to  assuage  the  pains  of  hunger,  never  to  have  but  one 
thought,  one  desire,  and  that  shall  be,  vengeance  on  the 
assassin  of  my  brother !  Oh,  my  boy;  my  poor  boy;  it 
was  cruel  to  kill  you  thus,  when  your  troubles  were  almost 
over.  But  we  shall  meet  you  soon  in  that  land  ever  vernal, 
where  there  will  be  no  more  partings.  (Papers  thrown  in.) 

Sergeant  Moore.  Henry,  come  and  see  the  paper  the  boys 
have  got.  We  have  just  had  one  thrown  in. 

Henry.  Hush  !  Save  some  of  your  bread  for  Freddie. 
He.  is  asleep  now,  but  when  he  wakes  up  he  will  be  sore 
hungry. 


31 


Moore.  Poor  fellow,  he  has  gone  crazy. 

Henry.  Be  quiet  and  do  not  make  so  much  noise ;  you 
will  disturb  him.  I  want  him  to  have  all  the  rest  he  can, 
for  when  he  wakes  up  we  are  going  home  from  this  horrible 
place.  I  dreamt  so  last  night ;  and  when  Freddie  wakes  I 
will  tell  him  my  dream.  I’ll  tell  you,  comrades,  now.  I 
dreamed  that  this  cruel  war  was  over,  and  that  we  were  all 
at  home  once  more.  I  saw  my  wife  and  mother  standing  in 
the  doorway  waiting  for  Freddie  and  I,  and  I  heard  the 
mower’s  song  in  the  field,  and  I  saw  the  children  happily  at 
play  beneath  the  old  oak  tree,  and  the  village  bells  rang  out 
merrily,  and  we  were  all  so  joyous.  But  it  was  only  a 
dream,  a  cruel  dream.  Hark  !  can  you  not  hear  a  noise  in 
the  distance?  See,  comrades,  see!  'there  is  our  old  flag 
come  again  !  Now  charge  they  the  enemies’  lines.  Sec  ! 
they  are  driven  back  with  great  loss  !  Now  they  charge 
again.  They  are  opposed.  The  enemies’  lines  are  broken. 
The  day  is  ours,  and  the  old  flag  waves  triumphant !  See, 
now,  on  they  come  ;  now  listen  to  the  steady  tramp  of  the 
Northern  army  !  I  told  you  they  would  come.  Our  prayers 
are  answered  ;  we  are  saved  !  we  are  saved  ! 


[Enter  Union  Soldiers  right  on  the  stockade.  Capt.  Hall 
comes  down  into  prison  ;  has  a  sword  combat  with  Arm¬ 
strong  ;  Armstrong  runs  him  through  ;  Hall  falls.] 

Henry.  Hold,  men  !  Do  not  fire  ;  he  is  mine.  James 
Armstrong,  you  have  murdered  my  brother,  and  here  a  no¬ 
ble  officer  lies  fallen  by  your  hands.  I  have  sworn  to  be 
revenged,  and  your  time  has  come  !  See,  comrades,  see  ! 
my  oath  of  vengeance  has  been  fulfilled !  Behold  the 
Rebel’s  doom  !  [Close  with  front  drop.] 


32 


ACT  V  . 

Scene  I.  '  [Landscape.  Villages  discovered.  Enter 
Union  Soldiers.] 

Judge.  Veterans,  it  is  both  a  pleasant  and  painful  duty 
to  greet  you  on  your  return  from  the  scenes  of  battle  to  the 
peaceful  and  quiet  avocations  of  a  citizen’s  life.  In  behalf 
of  the  republic  of  whose  call  you  went  forth,  whose  gov¬ 
ernment  you  have  maintained,  and  whose  very  existence 
you  have  preserved,  I  bid  you  welcome,  for  your  friends 
and  your  families  in  whose  behalf  you  have  fonglit  that  you 
might  continue  to  them  and  transmit  to  posteriiy  the  bless¬ 
ings  of  a  free  republic,  welcome,  thrice  welcome,  to  your 
happy  homes.  But  many  who  witness  your  return  bear 
aching  hearts.  They  see  your  ranks  thinned  by  the  cas¬ 
ualties  of  war  ;  they  look  in  vain  for  the  manly  form  who 
went  forth  with  you,  but  will  never  more  return  to  them. 
In  this  hour  of  joy  and  welcome  let  us  cherish  the  memory 
of  the  fallen,  and  sympathize  with  those  who  mourn.  You 
have  deserved  well  of  your  country,  you  have  preserved  it 
from  the  mad  ambition  of  traitors,  and  long  may  you  live 
to  enjoy  its  posterity,  and  longer  still  than  that,  let  us  have 
peace. 

Henry.  In  behalf  of  the  brave  men  under  my  command, 
permit  me  to  thank  you  for  this  your  kind  reception.  When 
we  departed  from  here  four  years  ago,  you  presented  us 
with  that  flag,  aud  bade  us,  if  need  be,  defend  it  with  out¬ 
lives.  We  have  done  so,  and  since  that  day,  wherever  it 
has  been,  ii  has  beeu  our  proudest  duty  to  follow  it.  We 
bear  it  back  to  you  faded  and  worn,  but  you  that  have  fol_ 
lowed  the  fortunes  of  the  Mass.  Regiment,  know  that 
whatever  duty  was  assigned  them  was  most  faithfully  per¬ 
formed.  Permit  me  again  to  thank  you  for  your  kind  wel- 


33 


come,  with  a  hope  that  we  may  never  be  called  upon  again 
to  defend  it  from  traitor’s  hands,  but  that  a  long  and 
lasting  peace  may  ever  be  ours. 

[Dark  Stage.  Tableau  of  Peace.] 

[Exit  Soldiers  L.  Close  with  kitchen  scene.] 

Scene  II.  [Kitchen.  Enter  Sally,  Warren,  Tim  and 
Joe.  L.  1st  E.] 

Sully.  Say,  William,  don’t  you  believe  them  ’ere  Wal- 
drons  have  gone  and  killed  the  fatted  calf,  and  it  is  the 
lookingest  calf  I  ever  saw.  I’d  a  good  deal  rather  have  a 
piece  of  gingerbread,  hadn’t  you,  William? 

Warren.  Yes,  I  had  ;  but  dou’t  eat  it  all  up  ;  perhaps 
Tim  and  Joe  might  want  a  piece. 

Sally.  Oh,  of  course  they  dew.  Here  Joe,  here  Tim. 

Tim.  Thank  ye,  marm  ;  it  is  a  gintleman  ye  are,  sure, 
and  may  ye  be  happy  all  the  days  of  your  life.  But  I  must 
go  and  see  Biddy,  so  good-bye  to  ye  all.  [Exit  R. 

Joe.  Say,  massa  Warren,  do  you  know  'where  any  tur¬ 
keys  roost  around  here?  I  should  like  to  get  hold  of  one 
just  for  old  times’  sake. 

Warren.  That  won’t  do  now,  Joe,  we  are  at  home  ;  but 
you  come  around  here  to-morrow,  and  we  will  have  one  all 
cooked  up  nice.  Sally  knows  how  to  cook  ’em,  don’t  you? 

Sally.  I  reckon  I  dew.  But  look  here,  William;  the 
folks  are  all  out  on  the  common  having  a  jubilee.  Let  us 
go  out  and  jine  ’em,  and  let  ’em  know  that  William  Warren 
and  Sally  Green  that  used  to  be  have  been  joined  in  the 
holy  bonds  of  matrimony. 

Warren.  Come  along,  let’s  go;  just  our  darned  luck. 
Come  Joe,  you  come  too. 

Joe.  Yes,  I’se  going,  ’cause  you  is  going  to  have  a 
turkey.  [All  exit,  L. 


34 


Scene  III.  [Parlor.  Judge  Waldron  and  wife  discov¬ 
ered.  Enter  Henry,  R.  2d  E.] 

Judge.  Welcome  home,  my  boy;  you  have  served  your 
country  well  and  faithful. 

Henry .  I  have  done  my  duty,  father,  and  I  am  satisfied. 
Mother,  I  am  glad  to  find  you  looking  so  well.  (Enter 
Belle,  R.  3d  E.)  Belle,  my  dear  Belle. 

Belle.  Henry,  this  is  indeed  a  happy  hour  ;  and  as  you 
said  at  parting,  the  dark  cloud  has  been  removed  from  our 
land,  and  the  bright  sunshine  has  come  again. 

Henry.  Yes,  Belle,  this  is  indeed  a  happy  hour  to  us, 
but  there  are  many  whose  hearts  are  sad  to-day,  for  many 
of  our  bravest  boys  sleep  in  unkuown  graves,  where  south¬ 
ern  flowers  bloom  bright.  Mother,  our  circle  has  Been 
broken.  The  sight  of  that  drum  brings  his  memory  fresh 
before  me. 

Mrs.  Waldron.  And  my  heart  is  full  to  overflowing. 
How  well  I  remember  when  he  laid  his  head  on  my  lap, 
and  I  cut  from  it  a  silken  curl ;  and  how  proud'he  was  of 
his  drum  ;  and  how  eager  he  was  to  go.  I  shall  always 
think  of  him  when  1  see  that  drum  and  that  vacant  chair. 

Henry.  Yes,  all  over  our  land  mothers  will  miss  their 
children,  wives  their  husbands,  and  sisters  their  brothers ; 
but  let  us  so  live  that  we  shall  meet  him  there. 

[Dark  Stage.  Tableau — Freddie  at  rest.  Close  with 

front  drop.] 


PHOTOMOUNT 

PAMPHLET  BINDER 

PAT.  NO. 
877100 

Manufactured  by 
GAYLORD  BROS.  Inc. 
Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
Stockton,  Calif. 


